Oscar Rady, Buderim, raises money for MND for Anna Penhall

A Sunshine Coast schoolboy has joined the fight against Motor Neurone Disease (MND) – after a close family friend was taken by the devastating disease with no cure.

Oscar Rady to shave hair for MND after loss of family friend. Picture – contributed.

A Sunshine Coast boy is planning a touching tribute three years in the making to honour a beloved family friend whose life was taken by a devastating disease with no cure.

Oscar Rady, 12, of Buderim, had been growing his hair for more than three years – after a close family friend died of Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Severely affected by watching a family friend slowly die, Oscar started a campaign to raise money for MND research.

Anna Penhall fought the deadly disease for nearly two years before dying on December 16, 2020, aged 49.

Scott Penhall, of South Australia, was actively fighting it in an effort to save his wife of 23 years.

He previously told News Corp publication the Advertiser how devastating of a disease MND was. One that slowly robbed his wife and mother of his three children of her ability to walk, talk, and eventually breathe.

MND affected the body’s nerve cells, which eventually leads to the unique loss of control over basic body functions, externally and internally.

Oscar Rady to shave hair for MND after loss of family friend. Picture – contributed.

The disease had no cure and was life shortening for the two Australians on average who are diagnosed with the condition daily.

Since her death Mr Penhall continued to advocate for MND by serving on the board of MND SA and MND Australia.

After seeing all of this first-hand, 12-year-old Oscar decided to step up to the ball and make his own contribution.

He started a GoFundMe campaign.

“On the second last day of my primary school year (Thursday, December 7), Chappy Alexa will shave my head fully bald at Buderim Mountain State School,” he said.

“Please donate to help find a cure for this horrendous disease – and see me lose my hair!”

The long haired boy’s mother, Liza Rady, a Sunshine Coast doctor, had known Anna Penhall since she was just four years old.

“The boys (Oscar and his two brothers) had known Anna for their entire lives and spent a lot of time with her – especially when she was sick,” Ms Rady said.

“They were very affected by her diagnosis and death, especially Oscar who is a very sensitive kid.”

Liza and Oscar Rady, and his brothers, with Anna Penhall shortly before she died. Picture – contributed.

Reflecting on the death, Ms Rady said she didn’t think her son would ever forget Mrs Penhall or the day she succumbed to her illness.

“I remember telling him she died it was really hard,” she said.

“We all knew it was coming but the boys (triplets) were only young (nine) at the time and it was their first exposure to someone they were close to dying. Especially hard with it being such a cruel and horrible disease.”

To make the death even harder to process, the Sunshine Coast family was unable to travel to Adelaide for her funeral to process their grief with family and friends because Covid-19 restrictions in place at the time.

Ms Rady said she was proud of her son.

“Oscar has never done anything like this before and he’s overwhelmed by the support he’s received,” she said.

“He’s enjoying spreading the word at school, raising awareness, and making a difference.

“It’s a really brave thing to do. He’s going to be starting at a brand new high school next year completely bald. All to make a difference for a disease which killed someone he loved.”